IOWA CITY, IOWA - OCTOBER 01: Running back Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines is tackled during the second half by linebacker Jack Campbell #31 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium, on October 1, 2022 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Bills GM Brandon Beane has been a busy man to start the league year. Many key positions have been addressed including guard, wide receiver, running back and safety.
However, there are still some spots that need addressing: a replacement for Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker; a backup plan for if Von Miller isn’t ready to go at the beginning of the season; offensive line depth; a running back on a rookie deal; safety depth.
With much of the free agent moves under our belts and the draft a little over a month away, it’s time to take our first look at what this year’s draft class could look like for the Bills:
NOTE: In this scenario, the Bills trade the no. 27 pick to the Packers for picks 45, 78 and 116.
Pick No. 45 (From Green Bay): Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa
Losing Tremaine Edmunds to the Bears in this year’s free agency left a giant void in the middle of the Bills defense. Linebackers Terrell Bernard and Tyrel Dodson can start in a pinch, but they showed that they probably aren’t the answer to compliment All-Pro Matt Milano. If the Bills aren’t able to pick up a starting caliber free agent LB at the right price, there are options in the draft. A great fit would be Jack Campbell out of Iowa, who isn’t projected to be drafted until the early to middle second round. Buffalo could cash in on other late-round picks if there were a suitor who would want to move up for Buffalo’s No. 27 pick.
Campbell’s pros and cons (from Pro Football Focus):
Pros:
-A True Middle Linebacker. Proven take-on skills
-Easily projectible NFL frame with requisite athleticism
-Great feel for zone coverage with outstanding production. Highest graded power-five coverage linebacker
Cons:
-Not particularly a twitchy mover. Won’t be the linebacker you walk out to slot.
-Range is average by NFL standards.
-Patient to a fault in the run game at times
Pick No. 59: Steve Avila, Guard, TCU
I’m excited about what newly-signed guard Connor McGovern will bring to the Bills offensive line. He and Ryan Bates should be the starting guards in 2023, but then what’s behind them? The Bills need to add depth to their interior offensive line and there is excellent value in Steve Avila at the 59th overall pick if he’s available still.
Avila’s pros and cons (from Pro Football Focus):
Pros:
-No one he faced could challenge his anchor in pass protection
-He gets off the ball like an undersized guard despite being 330 pounds
-Thickness throughout his entire frame. Ideal for a guard. It even fills up his helmet.
Cons:
-Relatively small hands for a guard prospect (9 ¼ inches)
-Some bad angles out of his stance when attacking the line-of-scrimmage defender
-Loose footwork in pass protection with heavier feet than you’d like
Pick No. 78 (from Green Bay): Luke Wypler, Center, Ohio State
The Bills need interior offensive line help, and the mission to protect Josh Allen continues. Veteran Mitch Morse has had concussion concerns over the past few seasons, and it would be good to groom his successor. Ohio State center Luke Wypler is athletic, agile and went up against some college football’s toughest defensive linemen while playing in the Big 10. It’s time the Bills invested in their interior offensive line through the draft, and Wypler would be a great fit if he’s available.
Wypler’s pros and cons (from Pro Football Focus):
Pros:
-Strong hands that don’t quit. He’ll ride out blocks till the bitter end
-Great reactive athleticism. Agility is best athletic trait.
-Tremendous at establishing leverage. Knows how to get around size disadvantage.
Cons:
-Undersized with tight frame. Going to be a center only.
-Will get walked into pockets. Needs to get stronger.
-Not particularly quick getting out of stance for an undersized center.
Pick No. 91: Karl Brooks, Edge, Bowling Green
The timeframe for Von Miller to return in 2023 is up in the air. Hopefully he’s ready to return for the season opener, but the soon to be 34-year-old may take longer to recover from his torn ACL than expected (see Tre White). Also, Boogie Basham and AJ Epenesa have not lived up to expectations, so EDGE will need to be addressed again this offseason.
There are other needs to be addressed earlier in the draft, but if Karl Brooks out of Bowling Green is available at the 91st pick, look for them to pounce. Brooks recorded 12 sacks in 13 games this past season along with 49 hurries and 4 batted balls. He’d immediately be third on the depth chart behind Miller and Greg Rousseau.
Brooks’ pros and cons (from Pro Football Focus):
Pros:
-Active hands. Throwing them continuously while rushing the passer.
-Agility is a big plus for a DT—good enough that he played on the edge at Bowling Green
-He can really turn the edge on guards to get back to the quarterback. Flexible.
Cons:
-He can get bounced against double teams. Play strength in the run game is a concern.
-Short arms for a defensive lineman. Not the type of defensive tackle that can sit on a block.
-Inexperienced in the interior. He has only 214 career snaps inside the tackles
Pick No. 116 (from Green Bay): Michael Wilson, Wide Receiver, Stanford
Gabe Davis is not the answer at WR2 for the Bills and newcomers Trent Sherfield and Deonte Hardy aren’t either. It may be tough to find the answer to the Bills’ WR2 problem with pick #116, but Stanford WR Michael Wilson has the size (6’2 209lbs) to potentially contribute for the team down the road.
Pick No. 130: Dewayne McBride, Halfback, UAB
Even after the signing of running back Damien Harris to a one-year deal, the Bills should look for a “power” running back to compliment James Cook and Nyheim Hines beyond 2023. To fill this need, Dewayne McBride out of UAB would be a solid late-round pick for the Bills. McBride not only weighs in at 215lbs and is 5’11”, but he can run like a bigger back, while having great agility.
McBride’s pros and cons (from Pro Football Focus):
Pros:
-Springy back. Just so light on his feet for a well-sized back
-Listed at 215 pounds but runs like an even bigger back on tape
-Ridiculous production since his true freshman season—7.2 yards per carry for his career
Cons:
-Gets run down to easily in the open field. His long speed doesn’t match his quickness.
-Below an afterthought as a receiver—10 targets in 321 career pass snaps
-Played one of the lower levels of competition in the FBS. He faced just two power-five defenses in his entire career.
Pick No. 137: Moro Ojomo, Defensive Line, Texas
It’s felt inevitable that the Bills will trade Ed Oliver. Although that hasn’t happened (yet), the Bills would be smart to add depth behind DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle. Texas defensive tackle Moro Ojomo would be a great addition to the Bills.
Ojomo’s pros and cons (from Pro Football Focus):
Pros:
-Ideal defensive tackle build. Short and stout but has long arms (34 3/8 in)
-Understands how to use his length well. You see him utilize the long arm with a lot of success
-Consistently has low pad-level into contact. Tremendous leverage.
Cons:
-A touch stiff during the corner on lineman and chasing ball carriers in space.
-Doesn’t stand out athletically despite measuring in on the smaller side for the position.
-Thin lower half that can get jostled around by double teams.
Pick No. 205: Quindell Johnson, Safety, Memphis
The Bills re-signed Jordan Poyer to a two-year deal with the hope that he and Micah Hyde have another stellar season left in them. However, the duo are on the wrong side of 30 and there really isn’t much of a longer-term plan for after they leave. The time is now to get some depth in the safety position and Memphis safety Quindell Johnson fits the bill.
